Browns Eye Young Coaching Talent as Head Coach Search Intensifies

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns are making headlines as they prepare to interview Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase in Los Angeles on Monday. This interview comes on the heels of a busy weekend for the Browns, who also spoke with former Chargers head coach and current Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn on Saturday in Florida. By the end of Scheelhaase’s interview, the Browns will have satisfied the Rooney Rule, allowing them to hire their next head coach at any time.

Scheelhaase, 35, is an intriguing candidate for the Browns, especially given his experience under innovative Rams head coach Sean McVay. While he has yet to call plays at the NFL level, his role in crafting the Rams’ offensive strategy has been a launching pad for other coaches, including Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and Jaguars coach Liam Coen. The Browns are looking for fresh ideas and a new direction, particularly as they aim to develop their young quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, or potentially Deshaun Watson for the upcoming 2026 season.

If Scheelhaase is the Browns’ top choice, they could move quickly to secure his services unless the Rams advance to the Super Bowl on February 9. In that case, the Browns would have to wait until the conclusion of the championship game to finalize the hiring. The stakes are high as the Browns are currently the only team in the AFC North without a settled head coach.

The coaching carousel has been spinning rapidly, and Scheelhaase’s options are dwindling. The Steelers recently opted for veteran coach Mike McCarthy, further narrowing the field for the young coordinator. The Browns have also been busy with their second-round interviews for the head coach position, having met with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, and Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.

As the Browns weigh their options, they seem inclined toward a young candidate to revitalize their struggling offense, which finished 30th in total offense in 2025. The team’s performance has been lackluster, landing them near the bottom of the league in both rushing and passing yards, as well as points scored. The Browns are eager to turn things around and may see value in pairing a young head coach with Schwartz, who has a proven track record as a defensive coordinator.

Schwartz, who has been instrumental in the Browns’ defensive success over the past three seasons, has garnered strong support from players like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward. However, the Browns recognize the need for an offensive-minded leader to elevate their performance. Monken, who helped lead the Ravens to success with quarterback Lamar Jackson, stands as a strong candidate, but the allure of youthful innovation in Scheelhaase and Udinski cannot be overlooked.

Udinski, who recently turned 30, is also in the mix for the head coaching job. If hired, he would become the youngest head coach in NFL history, surpassing Sean McVay’s record. Both he and Scheelhaase bring fresh perspectives to the table, and the Browns’ leadership is keen on making a decision that could reshape the franchise’s future.

As the clock ticks down to their next interview, the Browns could potentially have their 19th head coach in place as early as Monday. The anticipation is palpable as fans and analysts alike await the outcome of this pivotal decision that could define the franchise for years to come.